Meet up with your guide and walk to the nearest bus-stand (20 mins approx). Jump on local transport to one of the holiest temples for Hindus all around the world- Pashupatinath (20 mins approx). Join your guide through the spiritual journey as they provide an insight into the Hindu religion, the cycle of birth and death and the story behind the Sadhus - Hindu Holy Men, who renounce their hedonistic social life to devote their life to Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction) to whom the temple is dedicated. Witness one of many cremations along the banks of Bagmati river and on the sanctimonious grounds of temple. Interact with soot-smeared, saffron-clad, dreadlocked Sadhus.
Spiritually high, travel by local transport to reach the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal (possibly, in the world). Follow the pilgrims circumventing the Stupa spinning the prayer wheels. Offer prayers to Lord Buddha lighting a traditional butter lamp at the main entry way to the Stupa. Converse with one of the resident monks and learn more about the Buddhist philosophy.
Food for thought, time to fill the stomach! Lunch at a roof-top restaurant commanding an enticing view of the Stupa. Following lunch walk in to the abode of one of the most sought after astrologers in Nepal. Be amazed by how he deconstructs the mystery that is you and your future. Return a transformed person!
The World Peace Pagoda, a massive Buddhist stupa, is situated at the top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna range, Phewa Lake, and Pokhara city.
We climb the Raniban forest and cross a suspension bridge. After a two-hour hike, we reach the stupa and enjoy the peaceful, scenic beauty. Walking down from the pagoda you have views of Phewa Lake and the mountains. When we reach the lake, a 20-minute boat ride will bring us to the island temple of Barahi. And all its values and mysteries are showcased in the one and only Mountain Museum in the world - the International Mountain Museum, right at the footsteps of the Himalayan range, in Pokhara, Nepal.
With an objective of maintaining systematic records of the successful eight thousanders (the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 metres), geographic flora and fauna and human activities in the range, the International mountain Museum has been established at the foot step of fishtail peak and gate way to the mountain region. The shape of the museum roof itself resembles mountain skyline to any visitor before entering the museum main gate. Lunch by the lakeside.
Meeting point: Kathmandu hotel pick-up.
Start times: Pick-ups at 9am.
Drop-off times: Tours end at 4.30pm.
Other information: International Museum admission not included.
Visit the ancient city of Patan, which happened to be a kingdom in itself once and is situated across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu. The tour includes visit of Patan Durbar Square, temples and courtyards of Royal Palace.
The Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. The temples here devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh and Vishnu are actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts. The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows, columned arcades, shrines and sunken royal bath are amongst the loveliest in all Kathmandu.
Post completion of the tour, you shall be transferred back to your hotel of stay.
Turn yourself into a typical Kathmandu citizen for a day. Early wake-up and head straight to places of worship on foot. First up is Swoyambhunath, follow the path of Hindu and Buddhist devotees, circling the holy stupa and spinning the prayer wheels. The mesmerizing wafts of incense, hypnotic chants of prayers and surreal sound of ringing bells will provide a spiritual high. Spiritually awakened, stroll through the maze of backstreets to Kathmandu Durbar Square, its numerous temples and its market. Pick some fresh vegetables, purchase some aromatic spices and all the other necessary ingredients for a local lunch (it’s your choice and we’ll put all our confidence in you to find the right ingredients!). Well-stocked and well-prepared (at least mentally!), head to meet your host family. Lead the way or lend the hand as your hosts unveils the secrets of Nepalese cooking. Truly Kathmandu Living.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repose art. In front of the palace, building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Later sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Bouddhanath
Pashupatinath: This is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva lingam enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that.
Bouddhanath: This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Boudha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Boudha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.
Today start your visit by visiting the most sacred Hindu Shrine “Temple of Lord Pashupatinath” dedicated to subcontinent's great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva lingam enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple's origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that. (Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum).
Continue to Boudhanath, a great stupa and one of Nepal's most important Buddhist site, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa's construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Boudha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Boudha is a particular focus for Kathmandu's Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.
As the sun goes down discover the myriad sights, sounds and smells of nighttime Kathmandu on an evening rickshaw ride through the city. Sit back and relax as your cycle rickshaw is expertly navigated through the buzzing backstreets and atmospheric laneways of this energetic place. Start the adventure in the touristic heart of the city, Thamel.
The streets here are lined with shops selling everything from pastries to pashminas, and your rickshaw seat provides the perfect platform from which to do a spot of window-shopping along the way. Soak up the hive of activity taking place as you zip through this popular part of town. Leaving Thamel behind, head towards Durbar Square. Be sure to keep an eye out en route for many of the bustling local markets including Asan, a vegetable and spice market. This is also the oldest market square in all of Kathmandu.
Continue on to Durbar Square filled with age-old temples, palaces and shrines that are bound to enchant. Why not park yourself in one of the temple squares to witness the world go by? A truly special experience. Or perhaps sip on some local chai, be bold and taste fiery rakshi (local brew) at one of the local stalls or taverns, or simply hang out in one of the hippie era pie shops on Freak Street. It will never be a dull moment here. After the sights and sounds of this magical place have been absorbed, climb up onto your ‘street helicopter’ (cycle rickshaw) for the return ride back to Thamel. By the end of the tour you’ll be sure to agree that getting amongst the city on a rickshaw ride through its backstreets and laneways is one of the best ways to discover authentic Kathmandu. Come and be entranced!
See and feel Pokhara from a different perspective on this Pokhara hiking tour. Head out on a local transport to the outlying hills, Naudanda, literally meaning 'nine hills'. It'll take us about an hour to get there, but you'll be rewarded with the soft relief of the gently rolling chain of hills with their rice fields in terraces, and subtropical forests.
Oh, and the silhouette of the Himalayas! Can't forget those! Imposing on the landscape from a mere 30 kilometres away, this place certainly has an appealing look. A walk through this charming land transports you to a total contrast, far-removed from where you started your day. From one village to another and one hill to another, we'll hike for about three hours until we reach Sarangkot, a vantage point on top of a hillock north of Fewa Lake, famous for its dawn and dusk views. We'll descend for two hours towards Sedi, and continue to walk along the circumference of Fewa Lake for about half an hour until we reach Lakeside, where our Pokhara hike will end and we'll be transported back to Pokhara.
There are some who say travel is about going places and doing things. When it comes to Patan and Bhaktapur, it’s simply about ‘being there’. It’s easy to just explore Kathmandu, but we want to encourage you to discover the Kathmandu Valley’s two other former kingdoms – Patan and Bhaktapur. Between the buzzing markets, the artistry of the age-old temples and palaces, and the medieval feel of both cities, you’ll be sure to leave Nepal with a much deeper understanding of this incredible place.
We’ll take you on a tour from Kathmandu into another world, first to Patan, about a half an hour’s drive away. As you enter the ancient city, you’ll be taken aback by the vivid contrast to Kathmandu. Although these days Patan is part of the sprawl of the Kathmandu conurbation, Patan has an identify of its own, including the Centre of Sanskrit Learning (hence why you may see and hear of Patan by its Sanskrit name, Lalitpur, meaning City of Living Art).
The influences in Patan have transcended centuries, perhaps culminating in the 12th to 16th Century era of the Mallas and their extraordinarily creative Newar civilization. Surrounding the city’s main square are noble royal and religious structures, which highlight the Hindu pantheon, mainly of Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Patan’s excellent museum that features some superb artifacts from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, leaving you well informed of the glories of the past and the span of civilizations that have flourished and competed here in the Himalayas.
Leaving Patan behind, we’ll head for the medieval city of Bhaktapur, which will take us about 45 minutes. As if held in a time warp, the little city of Bhaktapur amazes everyone. Upon entering this ‘City of Devotees’, you’ll quickly realise that you have entered a time of feudal ways and medieval street-scenes, with a uniquely magical ambiance that confidently eschews modernity for tradition. Bhaktapur is also a place where your eyes naturally want to shift skyward towards the pagoda rooftops, but don’t forget to come back down to earth to peer down bustling ancient alleyways. Challenge yourself to keep still and absorb the activity around you. As we like to say - all one’s five senses are employed, and then add to that a sixth sense – one of idle exploration!
Start your tour by visiting the Dakshinkali Temple, dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali, which is the fearful form of Lord Siva’s consort, Parvati. The main deity in the temple is the black stone, six-armed form of Kali, standing on a prostrated figure. Dakshinkali is at the south end of the valley between two hills and at the confluence of two rivers. Sacrifices are made two times a week at this temple. Saturday is the main day of animal sacrifices and a less important day is Tuesday.
Continue your tour and proceed to Chovar gorge, the only outlet for all the water of the valley. Legend has it that Manjushree, an ancient saint from China, cut the mountain with his magical sword to drain out the water from the Kathmandu Valley Lake to make it habitable. There is a small but picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of the hill with a magnificent view of the snowcapped peaks. Just beyond the gorge is a temple of Lord Ganesh. The main image of the shrine is a massive rock, naturally carved.
The tour ends with the visit of Kirtipur town, perched on twin hillocks and clinging to a saddle about 5 km southwest of Kathmandu. A long flight of steps leads up to Kirtipur from the valley floor & a motor able road goes part way up the hill. Steep paths link brick houses built on terraces are the main attraction here. The villagers dressed in traditional costume working on ancient looms are also sighted. The people here are well known for their strength and valor as many historical battles were fought and won by the inhabitants of Kirtipur. Post completion of the tour, you shall be transferred back to your hotel of stay.